US20010023894A1 - Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module - Google Patents
Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module Download PDFInfo
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- US20010023894A1 US20010023894A1 US09/854,689 US85468901A US2001023894A1 US 20010023894 A1 US20010023894 A1 US 20010023894A1 US 85468901 A US85468901 A US 85468901A US 2001023894 A1 US2001023894 A1 US 2001023894A1
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- housing
- scanning
- light source
- aperture
- scanner
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10554—Moving beam scanning
- G06K7/10564—Light sources
Definitions
- the invention relates to a light source module for a scanning apparatus such as a bar code reader, and to a scanning apparatus with the light source module.
- POS systems point-of-sale systems
- a bar code reader reads a bar code provided on an article.
- check-out work is carried out only by scanning a beam emitted from a bar code reader.
- the work of an operator is reduced by using a bar code reader.
- a bar code reader generally includes a light source for emitting a beam, an arrangement for generating a scanning beam by reflecting the beam from the light source, such as a rotating polygon mirror, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the bar code reader.
- the return beams reflected by a bar code on an article are condensed by a concave mirror or a condenser lens onto a light receiving device, such as a photodiode which generates an electrical signal corresponding to the return beams received by the light receiving device.
- These elements are sealingly contained within a housing to provide an optical unit.
- Such an apparatus for reading a bar code is a kind of a scanner apparatus, similar to a scanner device in a laser printer or a copy machine, and is often referred to as a POS scanner or a bar code scanner.
- a laser diode is often used as a light source because of its compactness, low power consumption, and cost while a gas laser beam (for example, He—Ne laser beam) was originally used.
- a laser diode has a problem that its life is shorter than a gas laser so that a bar code reader with a laser diode must be designed and used while considering replacement of the light source. Further, there is a problem that static electricity may damage a semiconductor laser.
- a light source is provided by a VLD (Visible Laser Diode) module which includes a laser beam source, a lens and an aperture for shaping a beam.
- VLD Vehicle Laser Diode
- the VLD module When replacing a laser diode, the VLD module is replaced with the laser diode.
- the VLD module is contained within the housing of the optical unit.
- the housing of the optical unit must be opened to replace the VLD module.
- This work must be carried out in a clean room to prevent dust, which may harmfully effect to the optical characteristics of the scanner, from entering the optical unit.
- the bar code reader to be mended cannot be used during the replacement of the VLD module.
- the invention is directed to solve the above mentioned problems in the prior art and an the objective of the invention is to provide a light source module or a VLD module for a scanner apparatus, such as a bar code reader, or a scanning device in a laser printer or a copy machine, which is improved so that light source module can be replaced, without dust entering the optical unit of the scanner apparatus, wherever the scanner apparatus is used.
- a scanner apparatus such as a bar code reader, or a scanning device in a laser printer or a copy machine
- Another objective of the invention is to provide a light source module which is improved so that the effect of an static electricity on the laser diode is eliminated or reduced.
- Another objective of the invention is to provide a scanner apparatus, such as a bar code reader, or a scanning device in a laser printer or a copy machine, which includes the light source module.
- the invention provides a light source module which has a laser diode and a circuit board.
- the circuit board includes the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source.
- a lens and an aperture shapes the laser beam emitted by the laser diode.
- a housing made of electrically insulating material for contains the lens, the aperture and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.
- the light source module facilitates the replace thereof.
- the light source module further has an advantage that is removes or reduces the possibility of damage to the laser diode by static electricity since an operator can replace the light source module without touching the laser diode.
- a scanning apparatus which comprises:
- an optical unit including a housing in which means for receiving a beam from the light source module and reflecting the beam to provide the scanning beam, means for reflecting the scanning beam to provide a plurality of scanning lines outside of the housing, and means for receiving a return beam reflected by an article are sealingly contained;
- the housing including an arrangement for mounting the light source module outside of the housing and an aperture through which the beam can enter the housing.
- a scanner for emitting a scanning beam comprises:
- an optical unit including an optical element for receiving the light beam form the light source and for producing a scanning beam, and a housing for enclosing the optical element, the housing including an aperture through which the light beam enters the housing;
- the light source being mounted to the exterior of the housing of the optical unit to direct the beam to the optical elements within the housing through the aperture.
- the optical unit preferably includes a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner.
- the light source is secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- a bar code scanner for reading a bar code.
- the bar code scanner comprises:
- a light source for emitting a light beam
- an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner.
- the light source is secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- a bar code scanner for reading a bar code.
- the bar code scanner comprises:
- a light source for emitting a light beam
- an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into a set of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and an openings through which the set of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner.
- the light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a bar code reader to which the invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a side section of the bar code reader of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing of a VLD module according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 3;
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and bottom views of the housing of FIG. 3, respectively;
- FIG. 6A and 6B are perspective and side view of a cover of the VLD module
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 6A;
- FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 6A;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the housing and cover illustrating the assembling thereof
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom a mount of the VLD module to which a lens and an aperture are mounted;
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and bottom views of the mount of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is a side view of the mount
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lens holder of the VLD module
- FIGS. 14A and 14B are bottom and side views of the lens holder
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mount and the lens holder, illustrating the assembling thereof
- FIGS. 16A to 16 C are front, plan and side views of the mount, lens holder and a circuit board which are assembled;
- FIG. 17 is a front section of the VLD module
- FIG. 18 is a side section of the VLD module
- FIG. 19 is a front view of an optical unit of the bar code reader
- FIG. 20 is a side view of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 21 is top view of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 22 is a back view of a housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 23 is an interior elevation of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 24 is a side section of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 25 is a top view of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 26 is a section of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 27 is back view of the optical unit of FIG. 19, illustrating a recess for receiving a circuit board
- FIG. 28 is a side view of the housing of the optical unit, illustrating the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 29 is a top view of the housing of the optical unit, illustrating the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 30 is an enlarged top view of the VLD module mounted to the housing
- FIG. 31 is an enlarged section of the VLD module mounted to the housing
- FIG. 32 is an enlarged back view of the VLD module mounted to the housing
- FIG. 33 is a block diagram relative to the VLD module of the present invention.
- FIG. 34 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 33 according to the prior art.
- the invention is applied to a bar code reader.
- the invention is not limited to the bar code reader and can be applied to a scanner device in a laser printer or a copy machine, etc,.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a bar code scanner to which the invention is applied.
- FIG. 2 is a side section showing the internal arrangement of the bar code scanner.
- the bar code scanner is of an upright type and is mounted to a top surface 10 of a table such as a cashier counter.
- the housing of the scanner includes first and second openings 11 and 12 through which first and second scanning beams propagate outside of the housing, respectively.
- the first opening is perpendicular to the top surface 10 .
- the first scanning beam horizontally propagates through the first opening 11 while the second scanning beam propagates obliquely downwardly through the second opening 12 .
- the first and second beams intersect in front of the first opening 11 .
- a bar code (not shown) on an article (not shown) is irradiated by at least one of the first and second beams when the bar code passes the reading area where the first and second beams intersect in front of the bar code reader.
- a bar code reader with a single opening cannot read a bar code if an operator does not orient the bar code to the window accurately.
- the provision of two sets of openings and beams enables the scanner to read the bar code if an operator does not orient the bar code to the first or second opening accurately.
- a display 13 for indicating the name and the price corresponding to a bar code and the total of the purchase, is provided to the top of the scanner.
- the display 13 includes first and second indicators 13 a and 13 b, respectively.
- the first and second indicators 13 a and 13 b are oriented to the operator of the scanner and the customer.
- the first and second indicators 13 a and 13 b may indicate the same information.
- the scanner further includes an optical unit 14 and a VLD (Visible Laser Diode) module 15 , as a light source module.
- VLD Vehicle Laser Diode
- the VLD module 15 is mounted outside of the optical unit 14 by screws 16 (only one of which is shown in the drawings).
- a polygon mirror 93 within the optical unit 14 , a polygon mirror 93 , a plurality of mirrors 96 a to 96 h for providing a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner by reflecting the scanning beam from the polygon mirror 93 , and a concave mirror 94 for condensing the reflected beam from the bar code to an optical receiver 98 such as a photodiode are provided.
- the VLD module 15 includes a housing portion 20 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 B, and a cover 30 shown in FIGS. 6A to 8 , both of which are made of molded resin.
- the housing portion 20 includes an aperture 21 through which a laser beam is emitted from a laser diode contained in the housing 20 and 30 to the polygon mirror 93 as described hereinafter. It should be noted that although the housing portion 20 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 9 , so that the aperture 21 is laterally oriented, the VLD module 15 attached to the optical unit 14 so that the aperture 21 is oriented to the bottom of the unit 14 as shown in FIG. 20. In this specification, “top” and “bottom” are defined as the orientation shown in the drawings.
- the cover 30 comprises a base 31 , and a pair of mounting members 32 extending from the sides of the base 31 .
- the base 31 includes a ridged portion 33 on the base 31 , a pair of through holes 34 , a cutout 36 for positioning the VLD module to the optical unit 14 , and a hook 35 adjacent to the cutout 36 .
- Each of the mounting members 32 includes a through hole 32 a into which a screw 16 (FIG. 2) is inserted to secure the VLD module to the optical unit 14 .
- the cover 30 is connected to the housing portion 20 to close the opening of the housing portion 20 , as shown in FIG. 9, to provide a housing of the VLD module 15 .
- FIGS. 10 to 12 Shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is a mount 40 for securing the laser beam source inside of the housing of the VLD module.
- the mount 40 includes two pairs of threaded holes 41 a and 41 b and a recess 45 adapted to fit the ridged portion 33 on the top surface of the base 31 of the cover 30 , and may be made of die cast aluminum.
- the threaded holes 41 a receive screws 71 (FIG. 18) which are inserted into the through holes 34 of the cover 30 to secure the mount 40 to the base 31 of the cover 30 .
- the threaded holes 41 b receive screws 63 (FIGS. 16A and 16B) to secure a printed circuit board as mentioned hereinafter.
- the mount 40 further includes a bore 42 into which a lens holder 50 (FIGS. 13 to 15 ) is fitted, and a threaded hole 43 into which a screw 64 (FIGS. 16A and 16C) is threaded to lock the lens holder 50 .
- the lens holder 50 is shaped in the form of a cylinder which includes a bore 51 and a flattened portion 52 to which the tip of the screw 64 abuts to lock the holder 50 .
- the lens holder 50 holds an aperture plate 53 which includes an aperture 53 a and a lens 54 which is fixed to the inside of the bore 51 (FIGS. 14A and 14B).
- the aperture 53 a shapes the beam to provide a desirable beam section.
- the configuration of the aperture 53 a can be selected according to the desirable section of the laser beam while the aperture 53 a has a rectangular configuration in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
- the lens 54 adjusts the focal point of the beam.
- the aperture plate 53 and the lens 54 adjust the diameter of the laser beam.
- the lens holder 50 is slidably fitted into the bore 42 of the mount 40 as shown FIG. 15.
- the movement of the lens holder 50 within the bore 42 in the longitudinal direction shown by an arrow A in FIG. 15 changes the position of the focal point of the laser beam within the reading area in front of the bar code reader.
- Changing the position of the focal point adjusts the diameter of the laser beam within the reading area.
- the adjustment of the lens beam diameter is a critical issue since the diameter is the factor which defines the capability of reading a bar code (resolution for reading). The smaller the diameter, within an appropriate range, the narrower the bars of a bar code which can be read.
- the VLD module 15 comprises the lens holder as means for shaping the laser beam separately from the mount 40 , which facilitates the adjustment of the diameter of the laser beam.
- a circuit board 61 is attached to the mount 40 by the pair of screws 63 threaded into the holes 41 b of the mount 40 .
- the circuit board 61 includes a laser diode 62 secured to the circuit board 61 , and a driver circuit (not shown) for driving the diode laser 62 .
- the circuit board 61 is attached to the mount 40 so that the optical axis of the beam from the laser diode 62 is aligned with that of the lens holder 50 , in particular, that of the aperture 53 a and the lens 54 held by the lens holder 50 .
- a laser diode has a characteristic that the power of the emitted beam is not uniform from one to the other.
- a variable resistor 65 is provided for adjustment of the beam power emitted from the laser diode 62 so that the fluctuation in capability of reading between the scanners decreases.
- a connector 66 for connecting the laser diode 62 to a power source, is also provided on the circuit board 61 .
- the circuit board 61 except for the connector 66 , the mount 40 and the lens holder 50 are contained within the housing 20 and 30 to provide the VLD module 15 .
- the mount 40 is disposed on the cover 30 in place by the fitting between the recess 45 (FIG. 10) provided in the mount 40 and the ridged portion 33 on the top surface of the base 31 of the cover 30 .
- the mount 40 is secured to the cover 30 by screws 71 which are inserted into the through holes 34 of the cover 30 and threaded into the threaded holes 41 a of the mount 40 .
- the laser diode 62 is disposed relative to the mount 40 and the lens holder 50 .
- the laser diode 62 is contained within the housing 20 and 30 which are made of molded resin, such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadien-styrene) resin.
- ABS acrylonitrile-butadien-styrene
- the lens holder is also contained within the housing 20 and 30 to reduce an external force on the lens holder.
- This feature of the invention is advantageous in that the lens holder does not move during the replacement of the VLD module 15 , which prevents a change in the diameter of the laser beam.
- the optical unit 14 includes a housing portion 14 a and cover 14 b which are connected to each other to provide a housing of the optical unil 14 .
- the housing portion 14 a and the cover 14 b are sealingly connected at line 83 so that dust or small particles cannot enter therethrough.
- the cover 14 b includes first and second openings 11 and 12 which are sealingly and transparently covered by first and second glass plates 81 and 82 , respectively.
- first and second scanning beams propagate through the first and second glass plates 81 and 82 , respectively.
- the VLD module 15 is secured to the top of the housing portion 14 a of the optical unit 14 by screws 16 (FIGS. 19 and 20).
- the damper 17 between the VLD module 15 and optical unit 14 (FIG. 20) prevents dust from entering the optical unit 14 through a possible gap therebetween, and prevents vibration of the scanner from being transmitted to the VLD module 15 .
- a horizontal protrusion 91 for positioning the VLD module 15 .
- an aperture 92 (FIGS. 25 and 26) is provided through the outer wall to open into inside of the housing of the optical unit 14 .
- An aperture 95 (FIG. 23) is provided through the condensing concave mirror 94 at the center thereof-so that the apertures 92 and 95 provide a passage through which the laser beam propagates from the VLD module 15 , which is mounted to the housing portion 14 a of the optical unit 14 , to the polygon mirror 95 .
- the aperture 92 is closed by a glass plate 92 a (FIG. 24) which is attached to the inner surface of the housing portion 14 a.
- the glass plate 92 a is obliquely provided relative to the optical axis of the VLD module 15 to prevent total reflection of the laser beam at the glass plate.
- the aperture 92 may not be closed by the glass plate 92 a since the damper 71 prevents dust from entering.
- the laser beam entering the optical unit 14 through the apertures 92 and 95 is reflected by the rotating polygon mirror 93 , which includes four mirrors in this embodiment, so that the beam scans the mirrors 96 a to 96 h.
- the scanning beam from the polygon mirror 93 is divided into a set of scanning beam segments when the beam scans the respective mirrors 96 a to 96 b so that a set of scanning lines are provided outside of the scanner.
- the mirrors 96 a to 96 h are referred to as beam dividing mirrors in this specification.
- the dividing mirrors 96 a to 96 h are oriented to produce first and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner through the first and second openings 11 and 12 , respectively.
- Another set of beam dividing mirrors may be provided and attached to the cover 14 b.
- the scanning beam is diffusely reflected by a bar code. A portion of each reflected beam returns along the coincident light path of the emitted beam. Thus, the return beam is reflected by the polygon mirror 93 toward the aperture 95 which is provided through the concave mirror 94 for condensing the return beam onto the optical sensor 98 .
- the optical sensor 98 generates an electrical signal corresponding to the return beam to a signal processor (not shown).
- the laser diode 62 is directly oriented to the polygon mirror 93 without a additional small mirror which is often provided around the concave mirror in some scanners of the prior art.
- positioning between the laser source 63 , additional mirror, and the polygon mirror 93 is not necessary.
- the aperture 92 is obliquely formed in the housing portion 14 a as shown in FIG. 24 so that the laser beam runs to the polygon mirror 93 along a line which slants from vertical line.
- the polygon mirror 93 reflects the beam vertically toward the dividing mirrors 96 a to 96 h.
- FIGS. 25 and 26 show a top and sectional views of the housing portion 14 a, respectively, to which the VLD module 15 is mounted.
- the aperture 92 is provided substantially at the center of the housing portion 14 a.
- the housing portion 14 a has a recess 103 on the outside surface of the back wall thereof.
- the recess 103 accommodates a control circuit board (not shown) for controlling the operation of the scanner.
- the circuit board 61 of the VLD module 15 is connected to the control circuit board by a flat cable 101 .
- FIGS. 28 and 29 are a side and top views of the housing portion 14 a.
- the control circuit board and the VLD module cannot be directly connected to each other since the surface including the recess 103 to which the control circuit board is mounted and the surface to which the VLD module 15 is mounted are substantially perpendicular to each other as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. Therefore, the control circuit board and the VLD module 15 are connected through the flat cable 101 .
- the provision of the connector 66 outside of the housing 20 and 30 facilitates the attachment of the flat cable 101 to the connector 66 .
- one end of the flat cable 101 is connected to the connector 66 and the other end 102 is connected to the control circuit board.
- FIGS. 30 to 32 show enlarged details of the VLD module 15 mounted to the housing portion 14 a.
- the VLD module 15 emits the laser beam as shown by an arrow B as shown FIG. 31.
- the damper 17 includes a passage 17 a along which allow B which allows the laser beam propagates through the damper into the aperture 92 .
- a VLD module is provided within the optical unit 14 .
- the VLD module must be formed as small as possible.
- the VLD module includes a laser diode only included in a housing, and necessary electrical circuits, such as an electric voltage transformer, a driver circuit and an output control circuit, are provided outside of the VLD module.
- FIGS. 33 and 34 show a block diagram for electrical circuit for the VLD module according to the invention and the prior art, respectively.
- electric power is supplied to the laser diode (VLD) from a power source 110 , such as a commercial electric line, through a transformer circuit, a driver circuit and output control circuit for the laser diode which are provided on a board 120 separate from a VLD module 122 as shown in FIG. 34.
- a driver circuit and a output control circuit are provided on an additional board 114 , which also corresponds to the circuit board 61 , separate from a board for a transformer circuit 112 (FIG. 33).
- the circuit board 61 is contained within the housing 20 and 30 to provide the VLD module 15 .
- a laser diode has a characteristics that the power of the emitted beam relative to the input electric current is not uniform from one to the other.
- the driver and output control circuits are separately provided from the VLD module. Therefore, the output of the laser diode must be adjusted through the adjustment of the input electric current by the variable resistor 65 and must be carried out wherever the VLD module 15 is replaced.
- the VLD module 15 includes the driver and output control circuits in the VLD module 15 .
Abstract
A light source module has a laser diode, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source. A lens and an aperture shapes the laser beam emitted from the laser diode. A housing made of electrical insulating material contains the lens, the aperture and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.
Description
- This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/084,954, filed May 28, 1998, now allowed.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to a light source module for a scanning apparatus such as a bar code reader, and to a scanning apparatus with the light source module.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Recently, point-of-sale systems (POS systems) have become common in stores. In a POS system, a bar code reader reads a bar code provided on an article. According to the POS system, check-out work is carried out only by scanning a beam emitted from a bar code reader. Thus, the work of an operator (salesclerk) is reduced by using a bar code reader.
- A bar code reader generally includes a light source for emitting a beam, an arrangement for generating a scanning beam by reflecting the beam from the light source, such as a rotating polygon mirror, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the bar code reader. The return beams reflected by a bar code on an article are condensed by a concave mirror or a condenser lens onto a light receiving device, such as a photodiode which generates an electrical signal corresponding to the return beams received by the light receiving device. These elements are sealingly contained within a housing to provide an optical unit.
- Such an apparatus for reading a bar code is a kind of a scanner apparatus, similar to a scanner device in a laser printer or a copy machine, and is often referred to as a POS scanner or a bar code scanner. A laser diode is often used as a light source because of its compactness, low power consumption, and cost while a gas laser beam (for example, He—Ne laser beam) was originally used.
- A laser diode has a problem that its life is shorter than a gas laser so that a bar code reader with a laser diode must be designed and used while considering replacement of the light source. Further, there is a problem that static electricity may damage a semiconductor laser.
- In the prior art, a light source is provided by a VLD (Visible Laser Diode) module which includes a laser beam source, a lens and an aperture for shaping a beam.
- When replacing a laser diode, the VLD module is replaced with the laser diode. In the prior art, the VLD module is contained within the housing of the optical unit. Thus, the housing of the optical unit must be opened to replace the VLD module. This work must be carried out in a clean room to prevent dust, which may harmfully effect to the optical characteristics of the scanner, from entering the optical unit. There is also a problem that the bar code reader to be mended cannot be used during the replacement of the VLD module.
- The invention is directed to solve the above mentioned problems in the prior art and an the objective of the invention is to provide a light source module or a VLD module for a scanner apparatus, such as a bar code reader, or a scanning device in a laser printer or a copy machine, which is improved so that light source module can be replaced, without dust entering the optical unit of the scanner apparatus, wherever the scanner apparatus is used.
- Another objective of the invention is to provide a light source module which is improved so that the effect of an static electricity on the laser diode is eliminated or reduced.
- Another objective of the invention is to provide a scanner apparatus, such as a bar code reader, or a scanning device in a laser printer or a copy machine, which includes the light source module.
- In order to achieve the objective, the invention provides a light source module which has a laser diode and a circuit board. The circuit board includes the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source. A lens and an aperture shapes the laser beam emitted by the laser diode. A housing made of electrically insulating material for contains the lens, the aperture and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.
- The light source module facilitates the replace thereof. The light source module further has an advantage that is removes or reduces the possibility of damage to the laser diode by static electricity since an operator can replace the light source module without touching the laser diode.
- According to another feature of the invention, there is provided a scanning apparatus which comprises:
- a light source module;
- an optical unit including a housing in which means for receiving a beam from the light source module and reflecting the beam to provide the scanning beam, means for reflecting the scanning beam to provide a plurality of scanning lines outside of the housing, and means for receiving a return beam reflected by an article are sealingly contained; and
- the housing including an arrangement for mounting the light source module outside of the housing and an aperture through which the beam can enter the housing.
- According to another feature of the invention, a scanner for emitting a scanning beam is provided. The scanner comprises:
- a light source for emitting a light beam;
- an optical unit including an optical element for receiving the light beam form the light source and for producing a scanning beam, and a housing for enclosing the optical element, the housing including an aperture through which the light beam enters the housing; and
- the light source being mounted to the exterior of the housing of the optical unit to direct the beam to the optical elements within the housing through the aperture.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the optical unit preferably includes a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner. The light source is secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- According to another feature of the invention, a bar code scanner for reading a bar code is provided. The bar code scanner comprises:
- a light source for emitting a light beam;
- an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner. The light source is secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- According to yet another feature of the invention, a bar code scanner for reading a bar code is provided. The bar code scanner comprises:
- a light source for emitting a light beam;
- an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into a set of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and an openings through which the set of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner. The light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
- These and other objects and advantages, and a further description, will now be discussed in connection with the drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a bar code reader to which the invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a side section of the bar code reader of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing of a VLD module according to the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 3;
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and bottom views of the housing of FIG. 3, respectively;
- FIG. 6A and 6B are perspective and side view of a cover of the VLD module;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 6A;
- FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 6A;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the housing and cover illustrating the assembling thereof;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom a mount of the VLD module to which a lens and an aperture are mounted;
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and bottom views of the mount of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is a side view of the mount;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lens holder of the VLD module;
- FIGS. 14A and 14B are bottom and side views of the lens holder;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mount and the lens holder, illustrating the assembling thereof;
- FIGS. 16A to16C are front, plan and side views of the mount, lens holder and a circuit board which are assembled;
- FIG. 17 is a front section of the VLD module;
- FIG. 18 is a side section of the VLD module;
- FIG. 19 is a front view of an optical unit of the bar code reader;
- FIG. 20 is a side view of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 21 is top view of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 22 is a back view of a housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 23 is an interior elevation of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 24 is a side section of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 25 is a top view of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 26 is a section of the housing of the optical unit of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 27 is back view of the optical unit of FIG. 19, illustrating a recess for receiving a circuit board;
- FIG. 28 is a side view of the housing of the optical unit, illustrating the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 29 is a top view of the housing of the optical unit, illustrating the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 30 is an enlarged top view of the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 31 is an enlarged section of the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 32 is an enlarged back view of the VLD module mounted to the housing;
- FIG. 33 is a block diagram relative to the VLD module of the present invention; and
- FIG. 34 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 33 according to the prior art.
- With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described. In the following description, the invention is applied to a bar code reader. However, the invention is not limited to the bar code reader and can be applied to a scanner device in a laser printer or a copy machine, etc,.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a bar code scanner to which the invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side section showing the internal arrangement of the bar code scanner.
- The bar code scanner is of an upright type and is mounted to a top surface10 of a table such as a cashier counter. The housing of the scanner includes first and
second openings first opening 11 while the second scanning beam propagates obliquely downwardly through thesecond opening 12. The first and second beams intersect in front of thefirst opening 11. - A bar code (not shown) on an article (not shown) is irradiated by at least one of the first and second beams when the bar code passes the reading area where the first and second beams intersect in front of the bar code reader. A bar code reader with a single opening cannot read a bar code if an operator does not orient the bar code to the window accurately. On the other hand, in the bar code reader of the present invention, the provision of two sets of openings and beams enables the scanner to read the bar code if an operator does not orient the bar code to the first or second opening accurately.
- A
display 13, for indicating the name and the price corresponding to a bar code and the total of the purchase, is provided to the top of the scanner. Thedisplay 13 includes first andsecond indicators second indicators second indicators - The scanner further includes an
optical unit 14 and a VLD (Visible Laser Diode)module 15, as a light source module. TheVLD module 15 is mounted outside of theoptical unit 14 by screws 16 (only one of which is shown in the drawings). A buffer or adamper 17 of a resilient material, such as a rubber or a urethane, is provided between theVLD module 15 and theoptical unit 14. - With reference to FIG. 23, within the
optical unit 14, apolygon mirror 93, a plurality ofmirrors 96 a to 96 h for providing a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner by reflecting the scanning beam from thepolygon mirror 93, and aconcave mirror 94 for condensing the reflected beam from the bar code to anoptical receiver 98 such as a photodiode are provided. - The
VLD module 15 includes ahousing portion 20 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, and acover 30 shown in FIGS. 6A to 8, both of which are made of molded resin. Thehousing portion 20 includes anaperture 21 through which a laser beam is emitted from a laser diode contained in thehousing polygon mirror 93 as described hereinafter. It should be noted that although thehousing portion 20 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 9, so that theaperture 21 is laterally oriented, theVLD module 15 attached to theoptical unit 14 so that theaperture 21 is oriented to the bottom of theunit 14 as shown in FIG. 20. In this specification, “top” and “bottom” are defined as the orientation shown in the drawings. - The
cover 30 comprises abase 31, and a pair of mountingmembers 32 extending from the sides of thebase 31. Thebase 31 includes a ridgedportion 33 on thebase 31, a pair of throughholes 34, acutout 36 for positioning the VLD module to theoptical unit 14, and ahook 35 adjacent to thecutout 36. Each of the mountingmembers 32 includes a through hole 32 a into which a screw 16 (FIG. 2) is inserted to secure the VLD module to theoptical unit 14. - The
cover 30 is connected to thehousing portion 20 to close the opening of thehousing portion 20, as shown in FIG. 9, to provide a housing of theVLD module 15. - Shown in FIGS.10 to 12 is a
mount 40 for securing the laser beam source inside of the housing of the VLD module. Themount 40 includes two pairs of threadedholes recess 45 adapted to fit the ridgedportion 33 on the top surface of thebase 31 of thecover 30, and may be made of die cast aluminum. The threaded holes 41 a receive screws 71 (FIG. 18) which are inserted into the throughholes 34 of thecover 30 to secure themount 40 to thebase 31 of thecover 30. The threaded holes 41 b receive screws 63 (FIGS. 16A and 16B) to secure a printed circuit board as mentioned hereinafter. - The
mount 40 further includes abore 42 into which a lens holder 50 (FIGS. 13 to 15) is fitted, and a threadedhole 43 into which a screw 64 (FIGS. 16A and 16C) is threaded to lock thelens holder 50. Thelens holder 50 is shaped in the form of a cylinder which includes abore 51 and a flattened portion 52 to which the tip of thescrew 64 abuts to lock theholder 50. - The
lens holder 50 holds anaperture plate 53 which includes anaperture 53 a and alens 54 which is fixed to the inside of the bore 51 (FIGS. 14A and 14B). Theaperture 53 a shapes the beam to provide a desirable beam section. The configuration of theaperture 53 a can be selected according to the desirable section of the laser beam while theaperture 53 a has a rectangular configuration in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Thelens 54 adjusts the focal point of the beam. Theaperture plate 53 and thelens 54 adjust the diameter of the laser beam. - The
lens holder 50 is slidably fitted into thebore 42 of themount 40 as shown FIG. 15. The movement of thelens holder 50 within thebore 42 in the longitudinal direction shown by an arrow A in FIG. 15 changes the position of the focal point of the laser beam within the reading area in front of the bar code reader. Changing the position of the focal point adjusts the diameter of the laser beam within the reading area. The adjustment of the lens beam diameter is a critical issue since the diameter is the factor which defines the capability of reading a bar code (resolution for reading). The smaller the diameter, within an appropriate range, the narrower the bars of a bar code which can be read. TheVLD module 15 comprises the lens holder as means for shaping the laser beam separately from themount 40, which facilitates the adjustment of the diameter of the laser beam. - With reference to FIGS. 16A to16C, a
circuit board 61 is attached to themount 40 by the pair ofscrews 63 threaded into theholes 41 b of themount 40. Thecircuit board 61 includes alaser diode 62 secured to thecircuit board 61, and a driver circuit (not shown) for driving thediode laser 62. - The
circuit board 61 is attached to themount 40 so that the optical axis of the beam from thelaser diode 62 is aligned with that of thelens holder 50, in particular, that of theaperture 53 a and thelens 54 held by thelens holder 50. - A laser diode has a characteristic that the power of the emitted beam is not uniform from one to the other. Thus, a
variable resistor 65 is provided for adjustment of the beam power emitted from thelaser diode 62 so that the fluctuation in capability of reading between the scanners decreases. - A
connector 66, for connecting thelaser diode 62 to a power source, is also provided on thecircuit board 61. - With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the
circuit board 61, except for theconnector 66, themount 40 and thelens holder 50 are contained within thehousing VLD module 15. Themount 40 is disposed on thecover 30 in place by the fitting between the recess 45 (FIG. 10) provided in themount 40 and the ridgedportion 33 on the top surface of thebase 31 of thecover 30. Themount 40 is secured to thecover 30 byscrews 71 which are inserted into the throughholes 34 of thecover 30 and threaded into the threadedholes 41 a of themount 40. Thus, thelaser diode 62 is disposed relative to themount 40 and thelens holder 50. - The
laser diode 62 is contained within thehousing - Further, the lens holder is also contained within the
housing VLD module 15, which prevents a change in the diameter of the laser beam. - With reference to FIGS.19 to 21, the
optical unit 14 includes ahousing portion 14 a andcover 14 b which are connected to each other to provide a housing of theoptical unil 14. In particular, thehousing portion 14 a and thecover 14 b are sealingly connected atline 83 so that dust or small particles cannot enter therethrough. Thecover 14 b includes first andsecond openings second glass plates second glass plates - The
VLD module 15 is secured to the top of thehousing portion 14 a of theoptical unit 14 by screws 16 (FIGS. 19 and 20). Thedamper 17 between theVLD module 15 and optical unit 14 (FIG. 20) prevents dust from entering theoptical unit 14 through a possible gap therebetween, and prevents vibration of the scanner from being transmitted to theVLD module 15. - With reference to FIG. 22, provided on the back wall of the
housing portion 14 a is ahorizontal protrusion 91 for positioning theVLD module 15. Adjacent to thehorizontal protrusion 91, an aperture 92 (FIGS. 25 and 26) is provided through the outer wall to open into inside of the housing of theoptical unit 14. An aperture 95 (FIG. 23) is provided through the condensingconcave mirror 94 at the center thereof-so that theapertures VLD module 15, which is mounted to thehousing portion 14 a of theoptical unit 14, to thepolygon mirror 95. - In this particular embodiment, the
aperture 92 is closed by aglass plate 92 a (FIG. 24) which is attached to the inner surface of thehousing portion 14 a. In particular, theglass plate 92 a is obliquely provided relative to the optical axis of theVLD module 15 to prevent total reflection of the laser beam at the glass plate. In another embodiment of the invention, theaperture 92 may not be closed by theglass plate 92 a since thedamper 71 prevents dust from entering. - With reference to FIG. 23, the laser beam entering the
optical unit 14 through theapertures rotating polygon mirror 93, which includes four mirrors in this embodiment, so that the beam scans themirrors 96 a to 96 h. The scanning beam from thepolygon mirror 93 is divided into a set of scanning beam segments when the beam scans therespective mirrors 96 a to 96 b so that a set of scanning lines are provided outside of the scanner. In this context, themirrors 96 a to 96 h are referred to as beam dividing mirrors in this specification. In particular, according to the embodiment, the dividing mirrors 96 a to 96 h are oriented to produce first and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner through the first andsecond openings cover 14 b. - The scanning beam is diffusely reflected by a bar code. A portion of each reflected beam returns along the coincident light path of the emitted beam. Thus, the return beam is reflected by the
polygon mirror 93 toward theaperture 95 which is provided through theconcave mirror 94 for condensing the return beam onto theoptical sensor 98. Theoptical sensor 98 generates an electrical signal corresponding to the return beam to a signal processor (not shown). - As mentioned above, the
laser diode 62 is directly oriented to thepolygon mirror 93 without a additional small mirror which is often provided around the concave mirror in some scanners of the prior art. Thus, according to the invention, positioning between thelaser source 63, additional mirror, and thepolygon mirror 93 is not necessary. - The
aperture 92 is obliquely formed in thehousing portion 14 a as shown in FIG. 24 so that the laser beam runs to thepolygon mirror 93 along a line which slants from vertical line. Thepolygon mirror 93 reflects the beam vertically toward the dividing mirrors 96 a to 96 h. - FIGS. 25 and 26 show a top and sectional views of the
housing portion 14 a, respectively, to which theVLD module 15 is mounted. Theaperture 92 is provided substantially at the center of thehousing portion 14 a. - With reference to FIG. 27, the
housing portion 14 a has arecess 103 on the outside surface of the back wall thereof. Therecess 103 accommodates a control circuit board (not shown) for controlling the operation of the scanner. Thecircuit board 61 of theVLD module 15 is connected to the control circuit board by aflat cable 101. - FIGS. 28 and 29 are a side and top views of the
housing portion 14 a. The control circuit board and the VLD module cannot be directly connected to each other since the surface including therecess 103 to which the control circuit board is mounted and the surface to which theVLD module 15 is mounted are substantially perpendicular to each other as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. Therefore, the control circuit board and theVLD module 15 are connected through theflat cable 101. The provision of theconnector 66 outside of thehousing flat cable 101 to theconnector 66. - With reference to FIG. 29, one end of the
flat cable 101 is connected to theconnector 66 and theother end 102 is connected to the control circuit board. - FIGS.30 to 32 show enlarged details of the
VLD module 15 mounted to thehousing portion 14 a. TheVLD module 15 emits the laser beam as shown by an arrow B as shown FIG. 31. Thedamper 17 includes a passage 17 a along which allow B which allows the laser beam propagates through the damper into theaperture 92. - As mentioned in the description of the prior art, according to the prior art, a VLD module is provided within the
optical unit 14. Thus, the VLD module must be formed as small as possible. For this purpose, the VLD module includes a laser diode only included in a housing, and necessary electrical circuits, such as an electric voltage transformer, a driver circuit and an output control circuit, are provided outside of the VLD module. - FIGS. 33 and 34 show a block diagram for electrical circuit for the VLD module according to the invention and the prior art, respectively. According to the prior art, electric power is supplied to the laser diode (VLD) from a
power source 110, such as a commercial electric line, through a transformer circuit, a driver circuit and output control circuit for the laser diode which are provided on aboard 120 separate from aVLD module 122 as shown in FIG. 34. According to the present invention, a driver circuit and a output control circuit are provided on anadditional board 114, which also corresponds to thecircuit board 61, separate from a board for a transformer circuit 112 (FIG. 33). Thecircuit board 61 is contained within thehousing VLD module 15. - As mentioned above, a laser diode has a characteristics that the power of the emitted beam relative to the input electric current is not uniform from one to the other. According to the prior art, the driver and output control circuits are separately provided from the VLD module. Therefore, the output of the laser diode must be adjusted through the adjustment of the input electric current by the
variable resistor 65 and must be carried out wherever theVLD module 15 is replaced. On the other hand, according to the invention, theVLD module 15 includes the driver and output control circuits in theVLD module 15. Thus the adjustment of the output of thelaser diode 62 can be carried out in a factory whereby the work and time for maintenance is reduced. - It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the forgoing description is a preferred embodiment of the disclosed device and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. A light source module comprising:
a laser diode for emitting a laser beam;
a circuit board including the laser diode, a driver circuit for the laser diode, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source;
means for shaping the laser beam emitted by the laser diode; and
a housing made of electrically insulating material for containing the beam shaping means and the circuit board except for a portion of the circuit board where the connector is mounted.
2. A light source module according to , in which the housing is made of molded resin.
claim 1
3. A light source module according to , in which the beam shaping means comprising a lens for condensing the laser beam emitted by the laser diode; and
claim 1
an aperture plate which including an aperture through which the laser beam propagate from the lens; and
the light source module further comprising a mount for securing the circuit board inside of the housing, the mount including a bore extending through the mount to open to the diode laser on the circuit board;
a lens holder for holding the lens and the aperture plate to align the aperture with the optical axis of the lens; and
the lens holder being fitted into the bore of the mount to slide along the bore, the movement of the lens holder within the bore along the longitudinal axis of the bore adjust the position of the focal point of the laser beam.
4. A light source module according to further comprising means for locking the lens holder relative to the mount.
claim 3
5. A light source module according to , in which the circuit board includes means for adjusting the output of the laser diode.
claim 1
6. A light source module comprising:
a laser source;
a circuit board, for driving the laser source, including a driver circuit for the laser source, and a connector for receiving a power supply for driving the laser diode from an electric power source; the laser source is mounted to the circuit board; and
a housing, made of electrically insulating material, for enclosing a portion of the circuit board where the laser source is mounted, the housing including means for positioning the circuit board relative to the housing.
7. A light source module according to , further comprising means for positioning the laser source relative to the housing.
claim 6
8. A scanning apparatus comprising:
a light source module;
an optical unit including means for receiving a beam from the light source module and reflecting the beam to provide the scanning beam, means for reflecting the scanning beam to provide a plurality of scanning lines outside of the housing, means for receiving a return beam reflected by an article are sealingly contained, and a housing for enclosing means for receiving and reflecting the beam, means for reflecting the scanning beam, and means for receiving the return beam; and
the housing including an arrangement for mounting the light source module outside of the housing and an aperture through which the beam entering the housing.
9. A scanning apparatus according to further comprising a damper member of resilient material provided between the optical unit and the light source module to prevent dust from entering the housing.
claim 8
10. A scanning apparatus according to in which a glass plate is provided to close the aperture in the housing through which the beam enters the housing from the light source module.
claim 9
11. A scanner for emitting a scanning beam, comprising:
a light source for emitting a light beam;
an optical unit including an optical element for receiving the light beam form the light source and for producing a scanning beam, and a housing for enclosing the optical element, the housing including an aperture through which the light beam enters the housing; and
the light source being mounted to the exterior of the housing of the optical unit to direct the beam to the optical elements within the housing through the aperture.
12. A scanner according to , in which the optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner,
claim 11
the light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
13. A scanner according to , in which the scanner mirror is a rotating polygonal mirror.
claim 12
14. A scanner according to , in which the optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into a set of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and an openings through which the set of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner,
claim 11
the light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
15. A scanner according to , in which the scanner mirror is a rotating polygonal mirror.
claim 14
16. A bar code scanner for reading a bar code, comprising:
a light source for emitting a light beam;
an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into first and second sets of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and first and second openings through which the first and second sets of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide fist and second sets of scanning lines outside of the scanner,
the light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
17. A bar code scanner according to , in which the scanner mirror is a rotating polygonal mirror.
claim 16
18. A bar code scanner for reading a bar code, comprising:
a light source for emitting a light beam;
an optical unit including a scanning mirror for producing a scanning beam, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting the scanning beam and for dividing the scanning beam into a set of scanning beam segments, an optical receiver element for receiving the return beam reflected by a bar code to produce an electrical signal responsive to the return beam, and a housing for enclosing the scanning mirror, the plurality of mirrors, and the optical receiver element, the housing including an aperture, and an openings through which the set of scanning beam segments propagate outside of the housing to provide a set of scanning lines outside of the scanner,
the light source being secured to the exterior of the housing to direct the light beam to the scanning mirror through the aperture provided in the housing.
19. A bar code scanner according to , in which the scanner mirror is a rotating polygonal mirror.
claim 18
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/854,689 US6840452B2 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 2001-05-15 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP9-264741 | 1997-09-30 | ||
JP9264741A JPH11112097A (en) | 1997-09-30 | 1997-09-30 | Light source module and light scanner |
US09/084,954 US6283373B1 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 1998-05-28 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
US09/854,689 US6840452B2 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 2001-05-15 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
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US09/084,954 Division US6283373B1 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 1998-05-28 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
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US09/854,689 Expired - Fee Related US6840452B2 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 2001-05-15 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
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US09/084,954 Expired - Lifetime US6283373B1 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 1998-05-28 | Light source module for a scanning apparatus and a scanning apparatus with the light source module |
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EP (1) | EP0905642B1 (en) |
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US20100044435A1 (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-02-25 | Sven Ahlberg | Handheld scanning device with triple data acquisition functionality |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1509062A (en) | 2004-06-30 |
DE69835405D1 (en) | 2006-09-14 |
CN1881233A (en) | 2006-12-20 |
EP0905642A3 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
CN1213244A (en) | 1999-04-07 |
CN1254947C (en) | 2006-05-03 |
EP0905642B1 (en) | 2006-08-02 |
JPH11112097A (en) | 1999-04-23 |
EP0905642A2 (en) | 1999-03-31 |
US6283373B1 (en) | 2001-09-04 |
US6840452B2 (en) | 2005-01-11 |
DE69835405T2 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
CN1305294C (en) | 2007-03-14 |
CN100440244C (en) | 2008-12-03 |
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